Writing comedy can be difficult, especially when much of what we find funny is based on life experience. Comparison & Juxtaposition make one of the strongest elements of comedy and helps bridge the gap between experience & giggles.
Everyone understands that the team of a large fat man & a small thin man is funny: Fred Flintstone & Barney Rubble, the cartoon version of Classic Laurel & Hardy. Other funny combinations are: Large Bride & Thin Groom, Tall Thin Woman& Short Stout Man, Large Dog & Small Kitten, Large Cat & Little Mouse or Large Child & Small Parent.
Extend the juxtaposition to attitudes or character traits to win an audience & create uproarious laughter reminiscent of The Odd Couple: neat-freak & slob roommates. Today’s odd couple may be brothers: one with OCD, the other a Stoner. The combinations are endless; the comedy potential unlimited.
What juxtaposed couple comes to mind as a true life, yet funny pair?
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8 comments:
Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigel in Knocked Up is the first one that comes to mind.
a great example of juxtaposition!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Dropping by from the A-Z!
Bill Cosby in "I Spy".
I had this word listed to use for J and changed my mind. Glad you used it well. I pick Will and Grace from TV.
Fun! And of course I'm drawing a blank on what couple to share. Ugh. I hate when that happens. Like what others have shared though. :)
Mary Matalin and James Carville?
Well done. Nice to meet you Kate.
Thank you Joshua, Nutschell, Anthony, Joanne, Leigh, Lover and CM I'm visiting back now :)
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